An Ideal Husband at Lyric Hammersmith Theatre Review
Written by Cathie for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review. All views are our own
When we consider our partners and loved ones, do we consider them a paragon beyond compare or a more earthly soul with feet of London clay? This is an age old question that Oscar Wilde sought to answer with convoluted wit. Therefore, London is rekindling its affair with Oscar Wilde, with the Lyric Hammersmith showcasing An Ideal Husband.
This production is a beautiful mix of modernity and traditional Wilde, showcasing a phenomenal all black cast. Director Nicholai La Barrie has created a fantastic homage to Oscar Wilde, using the original prose but adding plenty of fresh modern vivacity to Wilde’s satirical comedy. An Ideal Husband is one of Wilde’s works which most closely resembles his own life, whereby the main focus of the plot is an outwardly highly respectable and moral individual who is hiding insidious past scandal and waits in terror of personal secrets being revealed to public ruin and condemnation. Without spoilers, Lord Chiltern is being blackmailed by crafty Mrs Cheveley. Will Lord Chiltern triumph or will Mrs Cheveley’s audacious political scheming succeed?
An Ideal Husband is still startling relevant to modern society and politics and the audience will enjoy the witty parallels showcased skilfully throughout. This cast is a treasure of Black talent and absolutely shine on stage together. Jeff Alexander is fabulous as cantankerous Earl Caversham. Aurora Perrineau is fantastically sharp and scheming as Mrs Cheveley. Sule Thelwell, Suzette Llewellyn, Tiwa Lade and Nimmy March were fantastic comics in their supporting roles. Wilde himself would be proud of Jamael Westman’s portrayal of vapid Viscount Goring with nuance and elegance. Emmanuel Akwafo stole the show as both butlers and had myself and the audience in tears of laughter throughout each appearance. Tamara Lawrance and Chiké Okonwo were phenomenal and elegant as the Lord and Lady Chiltern, around whom the plot revolves. Their playful chemistry and hilarious comedic timing was wonderful to watch. The only drawback to this production is its pacing. The first half, at 75 minutes, drags at times due to Wilde’s convoluted wit. The second act of one hour flows much faster and with more joyous satire.
Rajha Shakiry and Mariama Bojang have created beautiful costuming which reflects African fashion merged with Victorian styles. This effect is beautifully elegant and adds a great deal of style to Wilde’s prose. Yimei Zhao and Rajha Shakiry’s set is a fantastic mix of minimalist ballrooms and maximalist style apartments. This reflects Wilde’s style wonderfully and enhances the material excess of the characters’ hedonistic lives.
Zeynep Kepekli’s excellent lighting choreography also added to the hedonistic party theme. Holly Khan’s sound direction, including Modern RnB classics such as Candy, were hilarious and added much nuance to the play. Overall this is a fantastic new revival of An Ideal Husband and truly brings the intrigue of the Victorian scandal to brilliant life on stage. Although not perfect, the spirit of Wilde and the joy in exploring scandal is polished as beautifully as any beloved writer character can be. If you enjoy hilarious satire, witty banter, are in the mood for a fantastic satirical comedy or wish to see a wonderful cast on stage then this is the show for you.
Running until 6th June at Lyric Hammersmith Theatre.
★ ★ ★ ★